See full version: Is it bad to turn off the water while on vacation
Do feel free to shut off your water. That is fine, and the system will stay pressurized unless you have a faucet drip somewhere. I have seen houses hold pressure for months. If a faucet is opened or a leak happens, this pressure will drive out only a tiny amount of water - probably a few tablespoons, no more than a few quarts if a pipe drains. [links]
Turn the main valve slowly (both when turning off and on) to avoid possible water hammer effect that could stress pipe connections. more
I'm a little OCD when it comes to traveling. I have learned from experience that when I am away, I constantly have visions that a pipe in the wall had burst and that the water is slowly filling the house. Having been through this enough times, I am tempted to put my worries to rest by simply turning off the main water line (in the garage) before we leave. My new fear with doing this, of course, is that I will cause something else bad to happen.
For the same reason, turn taps in the house on slowly when bleeding air after you turn the main supply back on. Start from the taps lowest down and closest to the main valve and work your way away and up. more
Nothing bad should happen and it's not an irrational thing to do. more
You need to turn off the hot water heater if you shut off the water. The reason is the heat will keep the system mildly pressurized. If you have a leak it can slowly push all the water out, and then your water heater is running dry - bad! here
When it comes time for a long vacation, in the words of a famous sportswear manufacturer, just do it. [links]
At other times of the year, the effects of any small leak in your plumbing system, which you would catch if you were at home, are multiplied when you’re away.
Except…you open the front door and smell that smell.
But while the cat’s away the ice may play!
That said, many Albertans like to escape the polar temperatures in these parts in winter. They head south for a few weeks. [links]
Years ago after adding the softener, I came home from vacation and found the brine tank with no water, the soft water pipes had no water in them, and when I did turn the water back on I had to flush the green salty stuff from the pipes. I got the softener around the same time as the icemaker, but I don't remember if I left both on. here
I have no softener, no pool, no sprinkler system to worry about.
Come to think of it, this was when we had the old toilet with a very slow leak in the fill valve. So that might have helped it to drain down the upper floors. here
I am departing on a 3-week vacation. My nightmare has always been hot water heater blowing or line bursting and my house flooding endlessly. I thought of turning off the main water line into the home, and turn hot water heater to 'vacation' mode. Should I do both of these, or just the latter ? ( no fear of freeze btw ) Guidance appreciated . pacman16@bellsouth.net
I always shut my water off when I go for a a few days especially in the summer. What convinced me years ago was when I was called to a home where the neighborhood kids were playing on a hot summer day and needed a quick convenient cold drink of water after playing ball on a hot summer afternoon. here
Taking these precautions should protect your home while on vacation. But please note that I’m not a plumbing professional and have provided these thoughts for information only. Always speak to an expert if you’re not sure about risks and safety.
But if you want to check your coverage for water leakage in your homeowners or renters insurance policy — or any other aspect of your insurance protection, just give us a call.
It should be turned to “Low” or “Vacation” (if it has this setting), Water evaporation should then be negligible. [links]
Even though you’re likely insured, it can take months to get things back to normal. more
Alternatively, simply shut down the heater too. If you don’t know how to do this safely, consult a plumber or the manufacturer. [links]
One word of warning though. If you do turn your water supply off, you also need to take care of your water heater. The last thing you want is to come home to a water heater with a burned out heating element. [links]